Five Under-The-Rader Players to Watch For in 2010 (Offense)

As the years roll by, it is getting tougher and tougher to find the Under-The-Radar type players that not many people know about.

One would easily think that you could throw out such players as Andy Dalton, Colin Kaepernick, or even Christian Ponder on a list such as this, and make it work.

Not anymore.

To really get into an Under-The-Radar type player, you have to dig a bit deeper nowadays.  With the internet generation, and nearly every college football game now on TV, it is hard to find these players that not many people have heard about.

Last year, I gave out the following: Jarret Brown, DeVier Posey, Jerrod Johnson, Russell Wilson, and Joe Cox.

Pretty hit-and-miss to be honest, with Johnson and Posey the only ones that really made any kind of impact on the 2009 season.

Time for another swing at the fences with my top 5 players who can make an impact on the 2010 college football season; and guys who are truly Under-The-Radar so to speak:

5. Tre' Newton-RB: Texas: With the departure of the legendary Colt McCoy and his partner in Jordan Shipley, many don't know about the talents of Tre' Newton outside of the Big 12 conference.

Don't let that fool you. 

While the 'Horns have had many a great RB in their past years, they really haven't had a 'ball hog' since the days of Cedric Benson.  While JaMaal Charles was good, he often found himself in games when he was little to even averagely effective. 

Tre' can be the next great at Texas.  With a compact and bulldozing style that is gifted with top end speed and the ability to catch out of the backfield, the 'Horns may well have their hands on another gem in Newton.  With only 552 yards of rushing and 108 yards of receiving on last year's National Title game team entrant to his note, Tre' finished well down the list of conference RB's for All-Conference mention, much less national interest.  Look for 2010 to be a breakout year for this solidly talented RB in which the Longhorn staff will look towards to help in the transition from McCoy to Gilbert.

While guys in the Big 12 such as DeMarco Murray, Daniel Thomas, and Kendall Hunter may grab the early season hype and notoriety, keep an eye on this juggernaut who should be sitting on a huge year in Austin.

4. Washaun Ealey-RB: Georgia: Tough to argue against Georgia and their legendary list of extremely talented RB's.  While the offense has moved towards a more progressive uptempo pro passing style over the years, I fully expect the 'Dawgs to get back to pounding it on the ground this year.

Enter Washaun Ealey. 

Toughest thing about putting Ealey on this list is the ridiculous amount of talent at RB the 'Dawgs possess.  Caleb King, Dontavius Jackson, and Carlton Thomas aren't exactly chopped liver, and would start on many a team across the country.  They all create some serious issues towards Washaun getting a huge amount of carries for the Bulldogs. 

But...call this one an instinct, call this one a 'something you just know', but I definitely look for a breakout year from a Bulldog RB.  And I think it will be the very talented Ealey pushing Georgia to give Florida all they want this year in the SEC East.

3. Darron Thomas-QB: Oregon: Jeremiah Masoli was the 4th string QB at Oregon for a reason just a couple of years ago.  Without injuries to nearly everyone on the depth chart, we would have never heard of the guy.

Darron Thomas was one of those ahead of him.  And as stated earlier with Georgia, he isn't exactly chopped liver either.  Back in 2008, in his true freshman season, he came off the bench and nearly led a huge Duck comeback against Boise State throwing for three fourth quarter TD's against Boise and almost eliminating the 24 point deficit.

It isn't like Oregon has never faced a QB controversy, much less an injury or seven.  And they have always come back up off of the mat with a guy who was as good or even better than the guy before him.

Is Darron Thomas the next Dennis Dixon?  Nope.  He may just be the first Darron Thomas for the Ducks.  Once again, Duck fans may herald the departure of one great, only to enjoy the talents of another.

2. David Wilson-RB: Virginia Tech: Does the Russian Roulette continue for the Hokies in 2010? 

Rolling into the 2009 season, the Hokies were absolutely "set" at RB.  Then, during camp, All-ACC Freshman and ALL-ACC player Darren Evans went down with an injury.

All was lost, the Hokies could not recover with such a devastating blow.  Right? 

Enter super recruit Ryan Williams.  Not only did he make every Hokie fan almost forget about Darren Evans, but he set school records in his RS freshman season.

However, when Evans went down with an injury last year before the season started, it was Wilson that sparked the most interest from many a Virginia Tech fan.  His blazing speed and hip-shaking talents brought about many memories of Hokie RB's from past.  Wilson then, encountered his own injury before the season started to open up the window for Williams.

Do we see a turnabout in 2010?  Very possible. 

David Wilson is possibly more electric than Ryan Williams.  While Ryan possesses the talents of vision, creation of angles, and shedding of tacklers; Wilson possesses that pure breakaway Reggie Bush type stuff.

While Wilson may not get much field time for the Hokies in 2010, he could create some spectacular moments for fans alike.  

While most feel that Alabama has the most depth at RB rolling into the 2010 season, I'll take Virginia Tech's depth in a heartbeat.  And Wilson may be the best of the bunch.  Flat out scary.  And yet another player who could break onto the college football scene much like Evans and Williams did the two seasons prior for this same Hokie squad at RB. 

1. Kevin Newsome-QB: Penn State: With the departure of Daryll Clark, one would think the Penn State offense would be in need of serious change with a new QB.

Not the case. 

While Daryll was above average, he was far from great.  Kevin Newsome could be great.  With Evan Royster back as the hustling lead at RB, Newsome also gets every WR of note back on offense along with 4 starting OL.  That is a solid nucleus for any newfound starting QB to fall into. 

With a September 11th showdown with Alabama in Crimson Tide land, Newsome will be tested rather early.  I think he'll show very well in Tuscaloosa and stamp himself as one of the better up and coming QB's in the entire country. 

It also wouldn't be shocking if the Nittany Lions actually pulled off the upset in that contest as they look to drive towards a Big 10 Championship. 

And if they can pull off that upset, then Kevin Newsome drives straight towards the top of this list.